The Revd Dr Peter Pike, Rural Dean of Bridlington and Vicar of Bempton with Flamborough, Reighton and Speeton, has been announced as the new Archdeacon of Montgomery in the Church in Wales.
Peter will play a key role in helping to shape the life and witness of the church in rural areas of the Diocese of St Asaph and will also serve as Vicar of Berriew. He will succeed the Venerable John Thelwell who retires at the end of June.
Commenting on his appointment Peter said, “I have been very happy living in Flamborough, and serving the church and communities in my parishes and in the Deanery. We shall miss all the good friends we have made across the four churches and communities on Flamborough Head, and in the Bridlington Deanery, a great deal. But we look forward to making friends and working closely with new colleagues in Berriew, the Archdeaconry of Montgomery, and the Diocese of St Asaph.”
The Bishop of Hull, the Rt Revd Richard Frith said, “Peter has been a wonderful parish priest and Rural Dean. We shall miss him greatly but the Diocese of St Asaph is extremely fortunate to have him.”
Peter has been the Vicar of Bempton with Flamborough, Reighton and Speeton for the past eight years, and Rural Dean of Bridlington for four years. Prior to this he served in Lancashire in Blackburn Diocese for twenty years as a parish priest, rural dean and also as Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands, and Assistant Tutor on a non-residential theological course.
Peter was born and bought up in south London, with an English father and a Welsh mother from Penclawdd, near Swansea. He trained to teach in Hull and prior to ordination taught children with special educational needs. Peter is married to Deb; they have two sons, a daughter and two grandsons.
Peter will be inducted as the Vicar of Berriew on Monday 10 September at the Parish Church of St Beuno, Berriew and will be installed as Archdeacon of Montgomery in St Asaph Cathedral on Monday 1 October. His last services in the Headland Benefice will be on Sunday 26 August.